Ponting defends his team's action in the wake of criticism that none of his players rushed to check on Pietersen's when he was struck in the ribs.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting has sought to defend his team's action in the wake of criticism that none of his players rushed to check on Kevin Pietersen's well-being when he was struck in the ribs by a Glenn McGrath delivery.

Pietersen was struck in the ribs during England's tri-series outing here on Friday and a scan later revealed a broken rib, ruling him out of the remainder of the one-day competition.

An indignant Ponting said his players thought it was an innocuous blow at the time and pointed out that they had rushed to Andrew Strauss when he was hit by a Brett Lee delivery in the Sydney Test.

"We saw with Strauss in Sydney the other day, all of us rushed to him there," Ponting said.

"We just thought it was a knock in the ribs and it didn't look real serious - it wasn't like a head blow or anything like that," he was quoted as saying in the Australian media.

Wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist said: "A couple of guys asked him if he was all right as they went past and he couldn't talk."